//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: A Future Worth Saving // by Flashgen //------------------------------// The small cots set up inside of the corner of the hollowed out tree were not the most comfortable thing a pony could have slept on, but considering the circumstances they were all in, it was about the best the six mares could have expected. Even as the lights of a nearby lantern were dimmed and good nights were exchanged, nopony could really find the urge to sleep. Rainbow Dash turned over, letting out a rough sigh into her pillow as she started chuckling under her breath. “H-how is any of this even possible? We couldn’t be gone for a thousand years, it’s just...it’s nonsense. And Nightmare Moon was in control this whole time and nopony did anything to stop her?” Applejack turned to face her. “I know it don’t make a lick o’ sense, but what else explains all this? Nopony’s ever heard of villages in the Everfree Forest, and here we are sittin’ in one... and just thinking that everypony in Ponyville is...” She bit her tongue, trying to hold back tears. There was a light sound of sobbing coming from one of the cots in the darkness, Fluttershy lifting her head in its direction. “R-rarity? Are you alright?” She quickly scrambled to wipe her face with her hooves. “O-of course darling. Just, getting something out of my eye... that’s all...” “You don’t... have to keep it in. If it’s something on your mind...” Fluttershy got out of her cot, moving to Rarity’s side. “I just... I never said goodbye to Sweetie Belle yesterday. There were so many things I could’ve apologized for, but now...” She grabbed at her pillow, feeling Fluttershy’s hoof on her back, “I can’t take any of it back, all of the times I put work first over spending time with her, or when I got short with her. To think about... how heartbroken she would have been without me I-...” Fluttershy wrapped her hooves around Rarity as the unicorn flung her head onto the pegasus’s shoulder, crying openly. Tears started to trickle down Fluttershy’s cheeks as she held Rarity close, her own thoughts drifting back to Ponyville, her cottage, and the meadow where all the animals she cared for lived. “H-How could they... without me?” she choked out, clinging tighter to Rarity, “A-all those poor animals... H-how could I not be there for them? How could I abandon them?” Her hooves shivered as she held on to Rarity, the two caving in to a wave of tears and sorrow. Applejack looked at the display in the dim light, still trying to hold back her own tears as she whispered to herself, “Everypony in the Apple Family... I promised I’d teach Red Delicious some lasso tricks at this year’s reunion, and I was going to ask Braeburn how things were in Appleloosa...and Apple Bloom.” Tears dripped down onto her pillow as she wiped her eyes with a hoof. “I’ll never get to see her face when she finally gets her cutie mark... to see how happy she’ll be...” Dash turned away from the others, letting out a small sigh as she muttered under her breath, “W-what is everyone crying about... i-it’s not that big a deal.” A smug smirk was plastered on her face as a tear started to stream down its side. “The Wonderbolts... who really needed ‘em? I-I was fine on my own... and that filly Scootaloo... S-she was a nice fan,but... she could’ve handled herself without me around.” The single tear was joined by others as Dash kept chuckling, muttering under her breath, “She... she would’ve kept thinking of me... trying to be like me... She would’ve stayed strong...” Twilight tried to push her own lamentations of the Princess, of Spike, of everyone to the back of her mind as she hoped to drift off to sleep amidst the cacophony of sorrow. After a few moments she heard mumbling at her side join the symphony. Her attention drawn was as she resolved that sleep was a hopeless endeavor, wiping a tear idly from her cheek. Pinkie Pie sat on the cot as she looked down at her pillow frowning, muttering under her breath, “Mr. and Mrs. Cake, Lyra, Bon-Bon, Derpy, Lotus, Caramel, Flora, Lily, Carrot Top, Daisy ...” Twilight looked at the others for a moment before turning to Pinkie. “Pinkie Pie... What are you doing?” “I-I have to remember everypony... I have to, to throw a party to make up for everything. For all the birthdays I missed, and holidays, and special occasions. And Mr. and Mrs. Cake’s anniversaries, they always liked it when I did something special for them... or Lyra and Bon-Bon. They always tried to keep things between them hidden, but everypony could tell how close they were. I was going to throw them the biggest party when they finally told everyone.” She smiled brightly as she looked at Twilight, dried tears matted along her cheeks. “W-we have to, right Twilight? Even if they aren’t here now...” Twilight smiled in return, wiping her own tears away. “R-right Pinkie, but... we should probably sleep for now though... I know we’re all upset about this... a-and it seems so hard to believe, but... we’re not going to get any rest like this...” Rarity dried her eyes, nodding as she gained her usual regal presence once again, though tears quickly replaced those wiped away. “Y-you’re right Twilight... this is no way for a lady to be acting at a time like this. T-thank you very much for your help Fluttershy, you’re a good friend and... I’m sure your animal friends w-were fine without you...” Rarity offered a smile through her tears, hoping to calm Fluttershy’s laments. “I-I know I... they could probably take care of themselves, but...” She tried to stop her tears as she trotted back to the cot, laying down. “A-angel bunny he... he would have been strong for them... I know he would have...” Her face gained a small smile as she nuzzled her pillow lightly. It took some time, but the room returned to a silence as one by one the ponies drifted off to sleep; the calm soon replaced by sobbing as their consciousness drifted off to dreams. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight’s dreams were once again tumultuous, constantly shifting between events she either couldn’t recall or found herself trying to forget. Somewhere amongst the tides of memory she found calm as her vision became focused. She felt cold, like all the heat from her body was gone. Her eyes were closed, but as she heard muffled voices in the distance, her mind filled with images once again. “You did wonderfully, I told you that the spell would work perfectly with your magic as the catalyst.” The dark leather bound book lay open on the floor, its pages flying past her eye before stopping at one in particular. The words were gibberish, but as runes danced off of the parchment, one started to become clear before it all faded to black. “None can challenge my will now, especially not her.” The ruins of the castle within the forest, a faint, purple glow coming from its empty windows as laughter filled the air. “And in return, I shall offer you everything you desire. Power. Fame. Im-.” The voice cut off as she saw the eclipse, hearing the sound of burning wood and screams in the distance. “The old Equestria is dead. From its ashes will rise a new, greater power: one controlled by her Majesty, Queen Nightmare Moon. If you do not wish to die with it, surrender now.” Red. The taste of metal. Crying in the distance. Heat growing warm against her cold skin, sweat pouring down her brow as- “Twilight? Twilight wake up!” Applejack nudged at the tossing and turning unicorn as she jumped up in the air, looking startled as her friends were gathered around her cot, worry on their faces. The library was well lit, and she could hear the sounds of the village as it bustled with activity once again. Even if the sun did not hang in the sky, the ponies of Gallant Hollow were certainly treating things like a bright new day. "W-what happened?” Twilight said rubbing her forehead, the visions from her dream starting to fade. Her eyes started to dart around the room as she saw a few loose bits of parchment and a quill in the corner. Rainbow Dash stamped her hoof down, trying to keep Twilight’s attention, “You looked like you were seeing ghosts, that’s what. And you kept mumbling to yours- Hey!” Rainbow Dash was caught off-guard as the unicorn leaped out of the temporary bedding and over to the papers. Her horn was glowing as she tried to scribble down every last detail she could recall before it faded from her memory. “What the hay is her problem? This is the third night in a row...” Rainbow Dash remarked glaring at Twilight, her wings flapping as she headed towards the door, “I’m gonna go grab some food again, I’m starving.” "Ummm...Twilight, I think we should maybe go with Rainbow Dash. Not that writing isn’t a...fabulously fun activity.” Rarity said as she trotted over to the door, Fluttershy following behind her meekly as she looked between the two unicorns. Applejack and Pinkie Pie looked at one another before gazing over Twilight’s shoulder, the scribbles barely legible as they were coupled with drawings and small notes. Applejack tapped Twilight’s shoulder, “Ummm, Twi? What exactly are ya...drawing there this time?” She didn’t seem to respond as she was obsessed with the parchment and every detail on it. It took a few moments before she stopped, tears forming in her eyes, “I-I don’t know...I keep having these dreams and they’re...so vidid... I can’t tell if they’re nightmares or...” She held her forehead, “I need to lie down.” She slowly went back to the cot, laying down quickly. “We’ll go get you some chow and be back in a bit... Just try and relax Twilight, okay?” The two left as Twilight groaned, pulling a pillow over her head. Outside the lights of several lanterns illuminated the village as ponies went about their daily routines, a few young fillies and colts running around playfully. Applejack couldn’t help but smile to herself, that even in the face of all these ponies were going through, it was like everything was still normal. It had been three days since they’d arrived in Gallant Hollow, and nearly all of it had been spent in the library; lamentations, sorrows, and heartfelt thanks were shared between the six friends as they sealed themselves off from the world they had stumbled into. Aqua had been kind enough to provide them with meals, but the six had resolved the day before that they had spent too long locked away already, and so they ventured out with her advice to find a food tent in the morning, or early as she kept calling it. Pinkie and Applejack saw the large beige tent in the distance, a few tables set up outside as ponies grabbed a bite to eat. She couldn’t help but be surprised when she stuck her head inside and heard arguing coming from within, and the source was the familiar white unicorn. “I’m so sorry, but are you sure there’s not something more...cultured available? I’m not one to turn down perfectly, uhhh edible grass.” There was a tinge of annoyance in her voice, “But maybe some daisies or-.” “Look lady, if ya don’t want food, you can leave and let somepony else take your spot in line. We have lots of mouths to feed and I’m not gonna have another riot eatin’ my stores.” “R-Rarity...maybe you should just take it?” Fluttershy said picking up her own plate, thanking a pony behind the counter. She tilted her head up, “Fine...but it wouldn’t hurt to have something of higher quality available in the future...” Her horn lit up as the small plate floated through the air, trailing her as she followed behind Fluttershy. Applejack rolled her eyes as she waited in line with Pinkie Pie. She started to notice eyes around the tent watching them, ponies making remarks to one another. She tried to ignore them as best she could, since it was only natural to be wary of newcomers in a place like this. It wasn’t long before their turn in line came, “Can I get two plates please? We got a friend waitin’ for a bite to eat, but she’s a little under the weather.” “Not a chance, if everypony starts asking for extras for imaginary friends we’re gonna run out. She can come and get some when she’s better.” He lowered his voice, “if she’s even real...” Applejack raised an eyebrow in response, “What kind a’ nonsense is that? You can’t take a pony’s word for it?” The colt looked up, “Lady, I don’t care if you’re the Element of Honesty from the Legends. One, ration, per, pony. Next!” Applejack glared as she heard Pinkie Pie snorting and giggling behind her, almost falling down to the ground amidst the crowd. Applejack sighed in defeat as she moved along, picking up her plate before exiting the tent and trotted back to the library, Pinkie hopping along behind her and somehow managing not to spill an ounce along the way. They could both notice ponies watching them closely as they arrived back at the library, Rairty and Fluttershy eating at a table in the corner, but with Rainbow Dash nowhere to be seen. Applejack took her plate over to Twilight, placing it down next to her, “There ya go sugarcube.” “But that was yo-” Pinkie Pie started before she found a hoof at her mouth suddenly. “You just eat up Twilight, hopefully gettin’ some food in ya will help with that headache.” The unicorn looked up at Applejack, smiling in return to her, “Thanks... I just want a chance to find out whatever it is I was dreaming about, and what’s been going on here for so long.” She looked out the closest window, barely seeing the night sky through the canopy, “I hope the Princess is alright...” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dark clouds of smoke hovered over the large metropolis city that stretched for miles, blocking out the star-lit sky. Its cobblestone streets were like a shawl on the dirt beneath, hiding the beauty it could bare, and that which it once held. The shining meadows and vast forests that once covered Equestria’s landscape were nothing but a memory now, and what little natural resources remained were in far-off lands, harvested out of sight from prying eyes. The lines that separated the social structure of the despondent landscape were obvious to the naked eye. The majority of the city and its outskirts were made of houses that appeared tossed together in minutes, on the verge of falling to pieces around their inhabitants. Space was scarce as dozens of houses were crowded together with little of a gap between them, several large factories crammed in nearby, billowing smoke into the large cloud overhead. A few of the ponies walking through the streets bore large headbands of black against their foreheads, their heads hung in shame. Across a set of bridges over a large river, each packed to the brim with guards, the city seemed more stable and well-maintained. There were homes, businesses, and the streets were wide and free of debris. However, underneath the appealing exterior there were still dark alleyways filled with misdeeds and corruption, hunger and strife. The city slowly rose up a large hill towards the mountains, the smaller homes being replaced by extravagant mansions, looking down over the shamble of a city with pity. From their tops flew banners of what seemed like cutie marks, symbols of the family that lived within and of their right to power, no matter its source. Corruption, magic, legacy, loyalty, money, fame, strength of will, mind, or arms; the city had no shortage of its vices to overshadow whatever good tried to raise its weary head. At the top of the hill, above it all, stood the menacing towers and peaks of a large castle. Its massive iron gates and walls stood barred, visages of a unicorn’s head looking over the city in all directions, its eyes closed and its head bowed. From behind the castle, black smoke grew to join with that from the far away factories in the clouds above. From the tallest tower, she looked over it all. Her world, the one that she took claim of to recreate. Those that were weak no longer had their lives handed to them on a platter, and those with the strength to become something could finally rule over those beneath them. She turned away from her creation towards the stairs, a grin on her lips as her violet, flowing mane followed behind her like smoke. She descended from the tower, step by step, her heavy hooves ringing echoes against the iron walls. As she passed the ground floor she went deeper, finally arriving at the bottom. A heavy wooden door with two guards adorned in pitch black armor greeting her. They needed no instructions as they bowed, excusing themselves from their posts as her horn glowed a dark light, the door swinging open. Inside, on the cold stone floor she sat, her neck wrapped in iron and chained to the stone beneath, her once glorious white coat covered with soot and ash. She offered a smile as she craned her neck up, staying seated, her multi-colored mane and tail still managing to flow with some of its majesty, “My dear sister. What is so special about this occasion to bring you down to visit? It’s been years since we saw each other, would you like to catch up on things? Or will this be like your last visit when you needed me to preform parlor tricks for your nobles? Should I pull a rabbit out of a hat this time? Or perhaps try something more mundane like juggling or jumping through a hoop?” A wry smile grew from her lips. The dark-coated alicorn only glared in response, a tinge of anger in her voice, “I see you still have that wit of yours after all these years. But no, I don’t need my prized pet today...” She turned away, her wings unfolding, “I know you felt it... you don’t have to hide it anymore. I know that they’re back as well. Your faithful student and her dear friends.” Celestia closed her eyes, sighing, “Are you going to gloat again? It becomes rather dull after the first hundred years, don’t you think? Maybe shutting your mouth for a decade might do you some good, to let you think about what you’ve done again.” She squirmed a bit in pain as the dark light grew from Nightmare Moon’s horn once again, Celestia’s chains glowing with magic. “You think a thousand years in this pit would teach you some manners.” “And you think a thousand years on a throne of lies would teach you honor...” She coughed heavily as the pain stopped. “It doesn’t matter anymore. Once they are gone it will finally be finished. Every obstacle will be gone, and nopony will be willing to risk their lives to save a dusty old relic from a forgotten age.” A small book floated over from the corner, dark runes covering its pages as it flipped open, “Would you care for a history lesson again? Let’s start from the beginning...”